The Fleischering Continues…

Speaking of hiding behind language, check out this excellent example of fleischering (courtesy of Josh Marshall) from the Dark Master’s padawan apprentice, Scott McClellan. You can take Fleischer out of the White House, but apparently you can’t take the fleischering, not from this White House. Listen:

QUESTION: Regardless of whether or not there was pressure from the White House for that line, I’m wondering where does the buck stop in this White House? Does it stop at the CIA, or does it stop in the Oval Office?

Scott McClellan: Again, this issue has been discussed. You’re talking about some of the comments that — some that are –

QUESTION: I’m not talking about anybody else’s comments. I’m asking the question, is responsibility for what was in the President’s own State of the Union ultimately with the President, or with somebody else?

Scott McClellan: This has been discussed.

QUESTION: So you won’t say that the President is responsible for his own State of the Union speech?

Scott McClellan: It’s been addressed.

QUESTION: Well, that’s an excellent question. That is an excellent question. (Laughter.) Isn’t the President responsible for the words that come out of his own mouth?

Scott McClellan: We’ve already acknowledged, Terry, that it should not have been included in there. I think that the American people appreciate that recognition.

It goes on and on like that–this is only about a third of the whole exchange. Read the rest at Marshall’s site.